Magazine disassembly tool

ABSTRACT

A magazine disassembly tool is disclosed. The tool may include a main body, a holder, and a pin projecting from the holder. The pin is disposed to engage the pin hole of the base plate of a magazine and release the base plate from the magazine. The tool may then slide the base plate free from the magazine providing access to the magazine interior.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to firearm accessories, and more particularly, to a magazine disassembly tool.

Firearm users of handguns often desire to access the interior of a magazine. The user must remove the base plate of the magazine which is retained in position by a spring. Conventional approaches to removing the base plate include prying open the base plate with a sharp edged tool such as a screwdriver or blade. Manipulating the sharp edged tool can be cumbersome and dangerous as the edge may abruptly slide while prying, sometimes causing injury.

As can be seen, there is a need for a tool that can disassemble the base plate of a magazine quickly and safely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a magazine disassembly tool comprises a main body; a holder coupled to the main body; and a pin pivotally connected to the main body disposed to pivot into a space defined by the holder, the pin disposed to engage a pinhole in a magazine base plate when the magazine base plate is within the space.

In another aspect of the present invention, a magazine disassembly tool comprises a main body; a pin projecting from the main body; and a compressible holder coupled to the main body, the holder configured to receive a magazine through a space defined by the holder and position a magazine base plate pinhole in alignment with receipt of the pin.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a magazine disassembly tool comprises a main body; a clamp attached to the main body, the clamp defining a space therebetween configured to receive a magazine base plate of a magazine therein; and a pin pivotally connected to the main body disposed to engage a pin hole in the magazine base plate.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a magazine disassembly tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing a magazine inserted into the magazine disassembly tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the magazine disassembly tool of FIG. 1 shown in use with handles being compressed;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the magazine disassembly tool of FIG. 1 illustrating an exemplary movement of the handles;

FIG. 5 is a partial side view illustrating a pivot motion of a. pin of the magazine disassembly tool of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the magazine disassembly tool of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a tool for disassembly of the base plate of a magazine employed in firearms. In one exemplary application, aspects of the following disclosure provide quick removal of the magazine base plate. Other aspects in the following disclosure promote user safety in removing the base plate.

FIGS. 1-6 show various views of a magazine disassembly tool 10 according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The magazine disassembly tool 10 includes in general a main body 14, a pin 30, and a holder 40.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the magazine disassembly tool 10 is shown in an exemplary use detaining a magazine 12. The magazine 12 may be, for example, any number of conventional ammunition carrying magazines that are spring loaded, such as for a semi-automatic pistol. The magazine 12 may include a base plate 35 with a pinhole 34.

In one aspect, the magazine disassembly tool 10 provides quick and safe disassembly of the base plate 35 from the magazine 12. The holder 40 may be coupled to a first end of the main body 14 and a butt end 15 may be on an opposite end of the main body 14. The holder 40 may be slightly compressible. The pin 30 may be coupled to and project from the main body 14 and configured in a manner permitting the pin 30 to engage the pinhole 34.

For example, referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and 5-6, the pin 30 may be pivotally attached to the main body 14. In an exemplary embodiment, the magazine disassembly tool 10 may also include a slide block 32 mounted atop the main body 14 intermediately between the holder 40 and the butt end 15.

The pin 30 may be attached to a pin plate 24 which may be may be hinged to the slide block 32 via a hinge pin 26. A knob 28 may be connected to the pin 30 so that the knob 28 is on one side of the pin plate 24 and the pin 30 projects through the other side of the pin plate 24. Referring particularly to FIG. 5, the pin plate 24 is disposed to pivot about the hinge pin 26 so that the pin 30 can be swiveled upward away from the base plate 35 and downward toward the base plate 35 into the pin hole 34.

Referring in particular to FIG. 6, the main body 14 may include a slot 36 formed into the top surface of the main body 14. The slot 36 may be disposed linearly along the top surface and may be sized to receive the slide block 32. A groove 35 may be formed on one or two sides along the slot 36. The slide block 32 may include a lengthwise tongue 33 along one or both sidewalls disposed for fitted receipt of the groove 35.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-4 and 6, in another aspect, the magazine disassembly tool 10 provides convenient and secure detention of the magazine 12 during disassembly. The holder 40 may be configured to receive the base plate 35 through a hollow passage in the holder.

A pair of handles 16 and 18 may be coupled to the left and right sides of the main body 14. The handles 16 and 18 may be disposed to surround the holder 40 and squeeze the magazine 12. The handles 16 and 18 may be attached to the main body 14 so that they have free ends 19 projecting distally away from attached or non-free ends 21. In one aspect, the handles 16 and 18 may be configured into a tensioned clamp 25. The free ends 19 of respective handles 16 and 18 may diverge from the attached ends 21 at an angle of approximately 3 to 5 degrees from the main body 14 when the clamp 25 is in a default, uncompressed state (FIGS. 2 and 4). In one exemplary embodiment, (FIG. 6) the handles 16 and 18 may include a receptacle 31 and a spring mounted between the receptacle 31 and a side wall 45 of the main body 14 providing a spring-loaded mechanism for the clamp 25. The main body 14 may include side wall slots 46 on the side walls 45 adjacent the attached ends 21 and the butt end 15. The handles 16 and 18 may include a rocker 48 on an inside surface of respective handles such that the rocker 48 is configured to fit into and rock within the slot 46 when the handles 16 and 18 are attached to the main body 14 and squeezed together. With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the handles 16 and 18 may also include a push block 44 on the interior surfaces of respective handles. The push blocks 44 may project inward toward the holder 40 and may be configured to apply a compressive force against the sides of the holder. The handles 16 and 18 may also include a hand grip surface 42 disposed on the free ends of the handles; in other words, the ends distal from the attached ends adjacent the rocker 48. The hand grip surfaces 42 may be, for example, one or more depressions shaped to receive fingers. A pair of opposing stops 17 may be positioned on interior surfaces of the handles 16 and 18 in alignment with one another. The stops 17 may be located on the handles 16 and 18 between the free ends and the holder 40. The stops 17 may be disposed in axial alignment to one another so as to engage each other during operation of the handles 16 and 18.

In one exemplary operation, the magazine disassembly tool 10 may be in a default state where the handles 16 and 18 are disengaged from the main body 14. This may provide a slightly expanded passageway through the holder 40 so that a user may insert the magazine 12 bottom side up into the holder 40 so that the base plate 35 faces upward through the holder. The user may hold the magazine 12 with one hand while the other hand grasps the handles 16 and 18 simultaneously. The user may place one or more fingers on the hand grip surfaces 42. The user may squeeze the handles 16 and 18 causing the push blocks 44 on respective sides to exert a compressive force against the holder 40. Users with long enough digits may extend the thumb (of the hand holding the handles 16 and 18) to move the slide block 32 into position so that the pin 30, whether raised or already lowered, is disposed to engage the pin hole 34. If raised, the pin 30 may be swiveled downward while the magazine 12 is detained in the holder 40. It may be appreciated that users whose digits are not long enough to operate the magazine disassembly tool 10 one-handed are provided a secure grip on the magazine 12 so that they may let go of the magazine 12 with the off hand while the handles 16 and 18 are squeezed by the other hand. Once the pin 30 is within the pin hole 34, the user may engage a retention spring (not shown) inside the magazine 12 that holds the base plate 35 in place. The user may then release the base plate 35 from the retention spring (not shown) through compression of the pin 30 and while maintaining the pin 30 engaged within the pin hole 34, may slide the base plate 35 off of the magazine 12.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A magazine disassembly tool, comprising: a main body; a holder coupled to the main body; and a pin pivotally connected to the main body disposed to pivot into a space defined by the holder, the pin disposed to engage a pinhole in a magazine base plate when the magazine base plate is within the space.
 2. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 1, wherein the pin is attached to a hinged plate coupled to the main body.
 3. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 2, further comprising a slide block movably coupled to the body, the hinged plate pivotally coupled to the slide block.
 4. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 3, wherein the slide block is configured to slide linearly.
 5. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 1, wherein the holder is compressible.
 6. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 1 further comprising a pin knob coupled to the pin.
 7. A magazine disassembly tool, comprising: a main body; a pin projecting from the main body; and a compressible holder coupled to the main body, the holder configured to receive a magazine through a space defined by the holder and position a magazine base plate pinhole in alignment with receipt of the pin.
 8. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 7 further comprising a pair of handles coupled on opposing sides of the holder.
 9. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 8 further comprising handgrips on free ends of the handles.
 10. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 8, wherein the handles are spring loaded in attachment with the main body.
 11. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 8, wherein the main body includes side wall slots on opposing sides of the main body and non-free ends of the handles include a rocker disposed to rock within the side wall slots.
 12. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 8 further comprising a push block on inside walls of respective handles, the push block disposed to press against the holder during operation of the handles.
 13. A magazine disassembly tool, comprising: a main body; a clamp attached to the main body, the clamp defining a space therebetween configured to receive a magazine base plate of a magazine therein; and a pin pivotally connected to the main body disposed to engage a pin hole in the magazine base plate.
 14. The magazine disassembly tool of claim 13 further comprising: a slot in a top surface of the main body; and a slide block carrying the pin, the slide block movable in the slot. 